Disposable absorbent article with wings predisposed towards their in-use-position

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to disposable absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panitiliners and incontinence pads that have side wrapping elements, also called wings on each longitudinal side edge of the article for protection of the side edges of the wearer&#39;s undergarment. The side wrapping elements are joined to the absorbent article such that they are predisposed towards their inuseposition, with the outermost edge of the side wrapping elements towards the longitudinal centre line of the article. In this configuration the side wrapping elements can be unfolded by pulling the outermost edge of each side wrapping element in a transverse direction and applying the unfolded article to the crotch position of the wearers undergarment. The predisposition of the side wrapping elements will then support their folding around the undergarment side edges or even perform this task automatically.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to disposable absorbent articlessuch as sanitary napkins, pantiliners and incontinence pads that haveside wrapping elements, also called wings on each longitudinal side edgeof the article for protection of the side edges of the wearer'sundergarment. The side wrapping elements are joined to the absorbentarticle such that they are predisposed towards their in-use-position,with the outermost edge of the side wrapping elements towards thelongitudinal centre line of the article. In this configuration the sidewrapping elements can be unfolded by pulling the outermost edge of eachside wrapping element in a transverse direction and applying theunfolded article to the crotch position of the wearers undergarment. Thepredisposition of the side wrapping elements will then support theirfolding around the undergarment side edges or even perform this taskautomatically.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, pantiliners, andincontinence pads are devices that are typically worn in the crotchregion of an undergarment. These devices are designed to absorb andretain liquid and other discharges from the human body and to preventbody and clothing soiling. Sanitary napkins are a type of absorbentarticle worn by women in a pair of panties which is normally positionedbetween the wearer's legs, adjacent to the perennial area of the body.Sanitary napkins in particular with side wrapping elements, often alsoreferred to as side flaps or wings, are disclosed in the literature andare available in the marketplace.

[0003] Generally when sanitary napkins are provided with side flaps, theside flaps extend laterally from a central absorbent means and areintended to be folded around the edges of the wearer's panties in thecrotch region. The side flaps can be provided with an attachment meansfor either affixing them to the underside of the wearer's panties or tothe opposing side flap. The side flaps are particularly effective forpreventing exudates from soiling the edges of the wearer's panties.

[0004] Sanitary napkins having wings or side flaps of various types aredisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,687,478, entitled “Shaped Sanitary NapkinWith Flaps”, U.S. Pat. No. 4,608,047, entitled “Sanitary NapkinAttachment Means”, U.S. Pat. No. 4,589,876, entitled “Sanitary Napkin”and its Re-examination Patent No. B1 4,589,876, U.S. Pat. No. 4,285,343,entitled “Sanitary Napkin”. Sanitary napkins having wings are commonlyviewed as providing good protection against soiling. Typically the sideflaps are provided on the sanitary napkins by either being attached tothe garment facing surface of the absorbent article or by integrallyextending from the lateral side edges of the absorbent article.

[0005] Protective side flaps according to the prior art are providedsuch that their relaxed or predisposed position is assumed when thewings or flaps extend away from side edge of the main body portion ofthe absorbent article.

[0006] The side flaps are also typically folded inwards below or abovethe absorbent article for delivery such that a packaging can be providedto accommodate the basic width of the article without the side flaps.Tucked side flaps below the backsheet of the article which address thissituation are known from PCT application PCT/US 9404926, PCT/US 9404927and PCT/US 9404943. Alternative embodiments of tucked side wrappingelements are disclosed in European application 95114720.6.

[0007] In order to unfold the side flaps from this delivery position theuser has to grab the edge of each side flap and unfold it into the basicflat position in order to place the absorbent article into theundergarment and fold the wings (against their predisposition) aroundthe side edges of the crotch region of the undergarment.

[0008] EP-A-337438 discloses an attachment means for sanitary napkins bywhich resilient hinges are introduced to clamp the side edge of awearers undergarments. This system suffers from the desire toresiliently attach the article to the crotch portion of the undergarmentand hence requiring a hinge material which lacks comfort and can causechaffing or skin irritation to the wearer.

[0009] The present invention addresses the problems of various availableversions of side wrapping elements and improves their function inrespect to soiling protection, convenience for the wearer, consistencyof the crotch width of the article in use and maintains the comfort andnon-irritation properties of the conventional side flaps.

[0010] Thus an objective of the present invention is to provide anabsorbent article such as a sanitary napkin which is provided with analternative to conventional side flaps by having a predispositiontowards the in-use-position of the side flaps. It is another objectiveof the present invention to provide sanitary napkins with a definedcrotch width after application to an undergarment independent of thevarious dimensions of undergarments and/or habits of wearers.

[0011] These and other objectives of the present invention will be morereadily apparent when considered in reference with the followingdescription and when taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention relates to disposable absorbent articlesfor wearing in the crotch portion of an undergarment, in particular tosanitary napkins or pantiliners or adult continents inserts. The crotchportion of an undergarment comprises side edges which form part of theleg opening of the undergarment. The absorbent articles according to thepresent invention have a longitudinal and a transverse axis and comprisea main body portion which has longitudinal side edges substantiallyextending parallel to the longitudinal axis and transverse side edgessubstantially extending parallel to the transverse axis of the main bodyportion.

[0013] The main body portion further has a wearer facing surface whichis oriented towards the wearer of such articles and a garment facingsurface which is generally oriented towards the undergarment of thewearer.

[0014] The absorbent article according to the present inventioncomprises side wrappings elements which are wrapped around the sideedges of the crotch portion of the undergarment. In this position theside wrapping elements have an in-use-position. According to the presentinvention the side wrapping elements have a predisposition so as toassume the in- use-position. This predisposition can be achieved byjoining the side wrapping elements to the main body portion already inthe in-use-position.

[0015] If the side wrapping elements are provided as separate piecesfrom the main body portion they are attached to the main body portion intheir in- use-position, preferably to the garment facing surface andalong the longitudinal side edges of the body portion of the disposableabsorbent article.

[0016] In an alternative embodiment of the absorbent article the sidewrapping elements are integral with the main body portion extendingtransversely away from the lateral axis of the absorbent article. Theside wrapping elements are then folded along a foldline into thein-use-position and in order to provide the predisposition they areattached to the garment facing surface of the main body portion. It ispreferred in this embodiment that the attachment is not longer than 50%of the length of the foldline of the side wrapping elements, preferablythe midpoint of the line of attachment is in the vicinity of themidpoint of the foldline, for example within 10 mm from the midpoint ofthe foldline.

[0017] If the side wrapping elements are integral with the mainabsorbent body of the absorbent article they can be integral extensionsof the topsheet which provides the wearer facing surface of the mainbody portion and/or integral extensions of the backsheet of the mainbody portion which provide the garment facing surface of the main bodyportion. In this embodiment it is preferred to have the side wrappingelements attached to the main body portion along the common portion ofthe longitudinal side edges of the main body portion and the sidewrapping elements. The common portion of this attachment of the sidewrapping elements to the main body portion can be preferably, at leastpartially between the foldline of the side wrapping elements into thein-use-position and the longitudinal axis of the absorbent article andthereby result in a non linear attachment line following the curvatureof the main body portion. In such a case, if the attachment line iscontinuous, it is preferred that the material between the longitudinalside edges of the main body portion and the foldline where the sidewrapping elements are folded into the in-use-position including thefoldline itself is severed from the disposable absorbent article.

[0018] According to the present invention the attachment of the sidewrapping elements to the main body portion of any of the embodiments canbe provided by adhesive means or by welding of the contacting materialswhere the side wrapping elements touch the garment facing surface of themain body portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019]FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a conventional sanitary napkin havingside wrapping elements.

[0020]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a sanitary napkin according to thepresent invention with the side wrapping elements predisposed into theirin-use-position on the garment facing surface of the sanitary napkin.

[0021]FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view along the transverse axis T ofFIG. 2 showing an embodiment according the present invention.

[0022]FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a preferred embodimentaccording the present invention which can be derived by furtherprocessing the embodiment as shown in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023]FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a disposable sanitary napkin 20 asknown in the art. The present invention relates to absorbent articles,such as sanitary napkins, panty liners and incontinence pads and will beexplained in the following by reference to sanitary napkins. Accordingto the present invention sanitary napkins have a main body portion 21and a pair of side wrapping elements 50 which wrap the side edges of thecrotch portion of wearer's panties when the wearer places the sanitarynapkin in the undergarments.

[0024] The sanitary napkin 20 has two surfaces, a liquid pervious wearerfacing surface and a preferably liquid impervious, garment facingsurface. The sanitary napkin 20 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as viewed fromits wearer facing surface.

[0025] The sanitary napkin 20 has two axes, a longitudinal axis L and atransverse axis T. The term “longitudinal”, as used herein, refers to aline, axis or direction in the plane of the sanitary napkin 20 that isgenerally aligned with (e.g., approximately parallel to) a verticalplane which bisects a standing wearer into left and right body halveswhen the sanitary napkin 20 is worn. The terms “transverse” or “lateral”used herein, are interchangeable, and refer to a line, axis or directionwhich lies within the plane of the sanitary napkin 20 that is generallyperpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0026]FIG. 1 shows the main body portion 21 of the sanitary napkin 20.The main body portion 21 comprises the portion of the sanitary napkinwithout the side wrapping elements 50. The main body portion 21 has twospaced apart longitudinal side edges 23, which can be linear or curvedas shown in FIGS. 1 or 2. A detailed description of a sanitary napkinand its main body portion is contained in U.S. Pat. No. 4,690,680.

[0027] The main body portion 21 of the sanitary napkin 20 can be of anythickness, including relatively thick, relatively thin, or even verythin. The sanitary napkin 20 shown is preferably a relatively thinsanitary napkin, preferably an “ultra-thin” sanitary napkin. An“ultra-thin” sanitary napkin 20 as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,950,264and 5,009,653 preferably has a calliper of less than about 3millimetres.

[0028] FIGS. 3 or 4 best show the individual components of the main bodyportion 21 of the sanitary napkin 20 of the present invention. Thedimensions as shown in FIGS. 3 or 4 should be considered as schematiconly since some details are enlarged while other parts of the sanitarynapkin may only be indicated or even not included in the Figures.

[0029] The main body portion 21 of the sanitary napkin generallycomprises at least three primary components. These include a liquidpervious topsheet 38, a preferably liquid impervious backsheet 40, andan absorbent structure or core 42 positioned between the topsheet 38 andthe backsheet 40. There are also occasions, however, when one orpreferably more of these components, such as the backsheet and topsheet,can be replaced by a component that serves as part of the side wrappingelements 50 described below. The topsheet, the backsheet, and theabsorbent core may be assembled in a variety of configurations known inthe art (including so called “sandwich” products and “tube” products).

[0030] Several preferred sanitary napkin configurations are describedgenerally in U.S. Pat. No. 4,321,924, “Bordered Disposable AbsorbentArticle”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,425,130, “Compound Sanitary Napkin”; U.S. Pat.No. 4,950,264, “Thin, Flexible Sanitary Napkin”; U.S. Pat. No.5,308,346, “Elasticised Sanitary Napkin”; U.S. patent application Ser.No. 08/096,121 entitled “Absorbent Articles Having Panty CoveringComponents That Naturally Wrap the Sides of Panties” filed Jul. 22,1993; and PCT Patent Application No. U.S. 94/10200 entitled “AbsorbentArticles Having Panty Covering Components Comprising Extensible WebMaterials Which Exhibit Elastic-Like Behaviour”. The main body portion21 of the sanitary napkin may also be comprised of one or moreextensible components such as those sanitary napkins, and the likedescribed in PCT Publication Nos. WO 93/01785 and 93/01786.

[0031] In general the three primary components of the main body portionneed to satisfy the following:

[0032] The topsheet is compliant, soft feeling, and non-irritating tothe wearer's skin. The topsheet also can have elastic characteristicsallowing it to be stretched in one or two directions in portions of thetopsheet or throughout its extension. Further, the topsheet is fluidpervious permitting fluids (e.g., menses and/or urine) to readilypenetrate through its thickness. A suitable topsheet can be manufacturedfrom a wide range of materials such as woven and non woven materials;polymeric materials such as apertured formed thermoplastic films,apertured plastic films, and hydroformed thermoplastic films; andthermoplastic scrims. Suitable woven and non woven materials can becomprised of natural fibers (e.g., wood or cotton fibers), syntheticfibers (e.g., polymeric fibers such as polyester, polypropylene, orpolyethylene fibers) or from a combination of natural and syntheticfibers or bi-/multi-component fibers.

[0033] Preferred topsheets for use in the present invention aretypically selected from high loft nonwoven topsheets and aperturedformed film topsheets. Apertured formed films are especially preferredfor the topsheets because they are pervious to body exudates and yet nonabsorbent and have a reduced tendency to allow fluids to pass backthrough and rewet the wearer's skin. Thus, the surface of the formedfilm that is in contact with the wearer remains dry, thereby reducingbody soiling and creating a more comfortable feel for the wearer.Suitable formed films are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,929,135; U.S.Pat. No. 4,324,246; U.S. Pat. No. 4,342,314; U.S. Pat. No. 4,463,045;and U.S. Pat. No. 5,006,394. Particularly preferred micro aperturedformed film topsheets are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,609,518 and U.S.Pat. No. 4,629,643. A preferred topsheet for the present inventioncomprises the formed film described in one or more of the above patentsand marketed on sanitary napkins by The Procter & Gamble Company ofCincinnati, Ohio as “DRI-WEAVE”.

[0034] Topsheets having not a homogeneous distribution of liquid passageways but only a portion of the topsheet comprising liquid passage waysare also contemplated by the present invention. Typically such topsheetswould have the liquid passage ways oriented such that they result in acentrally permeable and peripherally impermeable topsheet for liquids.

[0035] The wearer facing surface of the formed film topsheet can betreated so as to help liquid to transfer though the topsheet. In apreferred embodiment, surfactant is incorporated into the polymericmaterials of the formed film topsheet such as is described inPCT-publication WO 93/09741. Alternatively, the wearer facing surface ofthe topsheet can be made hydrophilic by treating it with a surfactantsuch as is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,950,254. It has also been foundthat film topsheets can be treated to be hydrophobic which improvestheir dryness appearance.

[0036] Another alternative are so called hybrid topsheets whichincorporate fibrous and film like structures particularly usefulembodiments of such hybrid topsheets are disclosed in PCT publicationsWO 93/09744; WO 93/11725 or WO 93/11726.

[0037] The topsheet typically extends across the whole of the absorbentstructure and outside the area coextensive with the absorbent structure.The topsheet can extend and form part or all of the preferred sideflaps, side wrapping elements or wings as shown in FIG. 3.

[0038] When referring to the topsheet a multi layer structure or a monolayer structure is contemplated. The hybrid topsheet mentioned above issuch a multi layer design but other multi layer topsheets such asprimary and secondary topsheet designs are also considered.

[0039] The absorbent structure can include the following components: (a)optionally a primary fluid distribution layer preferably together with asecondary optional fluid distribution layer; (b) a fluid storage layer;(c) optionally a fibrous (“dusting”) layer underlying the storage layer;and (d) other optional components.

[0040] a Primary/Secondary Fluid Distribution Layer

[0041] One optional component of the absorbent structure according tothe present invention is a primary fluid distribution layer and asecondary fluid distribution layer. The primary distribution layertypically underlies the topsheet and is in fluid communicationtherewith. The topsheet transfers the acquired fluid to this primarydistribution layer for ultimate distribution to the storage layer. Thistransfer of fluid through the primary distribution layer occurs not onlyin the thickness, but also along the length and width directions of theabsorbent product. The also optional but preferred secondarydistribution layer typically underlies the primary distribution layerand is in fluid communication therewith. The purpose of this secondarydistribution layer is to readily acquire fluid from the primarydistribution layer and transfer it rapidly to the underlying storagelayer. This helps the fluid capacity of the underlying storage layer tobe fully utilised. The fluid distribution layers can be comprised of anymaterial typical for such distribution layers. In particular fibrouslayers which can maintain the capillaries between fibers even when wetare useful as distribution layers.

[0042] b Fluid Storage Layer

[0043] Positioned in fluid communication with, and typically underlyingthe primary or secondary distribution layers, is a fluid storage layer.The fluid storage layer can comprise any usual absorbent material orcombinations thereof. It preferably comprises absorbent gellingmaterials usually referred to as “hydrogel”, “superabsorbent”,hydrocolloid” materials in combination with suitable carriers.

[0044] The absorbent gelling materials are capable of absorbing largequantities of aqueous body fluids, and are further capable of retainingsuch absorbed fluids under moderate pressures. The absorbent gellingmaterials can be dispersed homogeneously or non-homogeneously in asuitable carrier. The suitable carriers, provided they are absorbent assuch, can also be used alone.

[0045] Suitable absorbent gelling materials for use herein will mostoften comprise a substantially water-insoluble, slightly cross-linked,partially neutralised, polymeric gelling material. This material forms ahydrogel upon contact with water Such polymer materials can be preparedform polymerizable, unsaturated, acid-containing monomers which are wellknown in the art.

[0046] Suitable carriers include materials which are conventionallyutilised in absorbent structures such as natural, modified or syntheticfibers, particularly modified or non-modified cellulose fibers, in theform of fluff and/or tissues. Suitable carriers can be used togetherwith the absorbent gelling material, however, they can also be usedalone or in combinations. Most preferred are tissue or tissue laminatesin the context of sanitary napkins/panty liners.

[0047] An embodiment of the absorbent structure made according to thepresent invention comprises a double layer tissue laminate formed byfolding the tissue onto itself. These layers can be joined to eachother. Absorbent gelling material or other optional material can becomprised between the layers.

[0048] Modified cellulose fibers such as the stiffened cellulose fiberscan also be used. Synthetic fibers can also be used and include thosemade of cellulose acetate, polyvinyl fluoride, polyvinylidene chloride,acrylics (such as Orlon), polyvinyl acetate, non-soluble polyvinylalcohol, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamides (such as nylon),polyesters, bicomponent fibers, tricomponent fibers, mixtures thereofand the like. Preferably, the fiber surfaces are hydrophilic or aretreated to be hydrophilic. The storage layer can also include fillermaterials, such as Perlite, diatomaceous earth, Vermiculite, etc., toimprove liquid retention.

[0049] If the absorbent gelling material is dispersed non-homogeneouslyin a carrier, the storage layer can nevertheless be locally homogenous,i.e. have a distribution gradient in one or several directions withinthe dimensions of the storage layer. Non-homogeneous distribution canalso refer to laminates of carriers enclosing absorbent gellingmaterials partially or fully.

[0050] c Optional Fibrous (“Dusting”) Layer

[0051] An optional component for inclusion in the absorbent structureaccording to the present invention is a fibrous layer adjacent to, andtypically underlying the storage layer. This underlying fibrous layer istypically referred to as a “dusting” layer since it provides a substrateon which to deposit absorbent gelling material in the storage layerduring manufacture of the absorbent structure. Indeed, in thoseinstances where the absorbent gelling material is in the form of macrostructures such as fibers, sheets or strips, this fibrous “dusting”layer need not be included. However, this “dusting” layer provides someadditional fluid-handling capabilities such as rapid wicking of fluidalong the length of the pad.

[0052] d Other Optional Components of the Absorbent Structure

[0053] The absorbent structure according to the present invention caninclude other optional components normally present in absorbent webs.For example, a reinforcing scrim can be positioned within the respectivelayers, or between the respective layers, of the absorbent structure.Such reinforcing scrims should be of such configuration as to not forminterfacial barriers to fluid transfer. Given the structural integritythat usually occurs as a result of thermal bonding, reinforcing scrimsare usually not required for thermally bonded absorbent structures.

[0054] Another component which can be included in the absorbentstructure according to the invention and preferably is provided close toor as part off the primary or secondary fluid distribution layer areodor control agents. Active carbon and/or other odor control agents, inparticular suitable zeolite and/or clay materials, are optionallyincorporated in the absorbent structure. These components can beincorporated in any desired form but often are included as discreteparticles.

[0055] The backsheet primarily prevents the exudates absorbed andcontained in the absorbent structure from wetting articles that contactthe absorbent product such as underpants, pants, pyjamas andundergarments. The backsheet is preferably impervious to liquids (e.g.menses and/or urine) and is preferably manufactured from a thin plasticfilm, although other flexible liquid impervious materials can also beused. As used herein, the term “flexible” refers to materials that arecompliant and will readily conform to the general shape and contours ofthe human body. The backsheet also can have elastic characteristicsallowing it to stretch in one or two directions.

[0056] The backsheet typically extends across the whole of the absorbentstructure and can extend into and form part of or all of the preferredsideflaps, side wrapping elements or wings as shown in FIG. 3.

[0057] The backsheet can comprise a woven or non woven material,polymeric films such as thermoplastic films of polyethylene orpolypropylene, or composite materials such as a film-coated non wovenmaterial. Preferably, the backsheet is a polyethylene film having athickness of from about 0.012 mm (0.5 mil) to about 0.051 mm (2.0 mils).

[0058] Exemplary polyethylene films are manufactured by ClopayCorporation of Cincinnati, Ohio, under the designation P18-0401 and byEthyl Corporation, Visqueen Division, of Terre Haute, Ind., under thedesignation XP-39385. The backsheet is preferably embossed and/or mattefinished to provide a more clothlike appearance. Further, the backsheetcan permit vapours to escape from the absorbent structure, i.e. bebreathable, while still preventing exudates from passing through thebacksheet. Also breathable backsheets comprising several layers, e.g.film plus non-woven structures or multilayerd films, can be used and arepreferably joined to each other.

[0059] Side Flaps or Side Wrapping Elements

[0060] The side wrapping elements 50 can be of any suitable size andshape. The side wrapping elements 50 of the present invention may haveany of the dimensions and characteristics set forth for the undergarmentcovering components in the aforementioned publications.

[0061] The side wrapping elements 50 can, as shown in FIG. 3, beintegral with the main body portion 21. Alternatively the side wrappingelements 50 can, however, be joined to the main body portion 21 in anysuitable manner.

[0062] The term “joined”, as used herein, encompasses configurations inwhich an element is directly secured to another element by affixing theelement directly to the other element; configurations in which theelement is indirectly secured to the other element by affixing theelement to intermediate member(s) which in turn are affixed to the otherelement; and configurations in which one element is integral withanother element, i.e., one element is essentially part of the otherelement.

[0063] The side wrapping elements 50 can be made from any of thematerials used in the construction of the main body portion 21 of thesanitary napkin. The side wrapping elements 50 in the embodiment shownin FIG. 3 preferably comprise a laminate of two materials such as thetopsheet and the backsheet material. Separately attached side wrappingelements can be made in the same fashion or from a different laminate,e.g. of a soft extensible coverstock material such as an extensiblespunbond nonwoven web or a soft extensible formed film, an optionalintermediate layer such as a three dimensional formed film, and abacking such as a polyethylene film backsheet material.

[0064] Suitable material for the side wrapping elements include thoseuseful to provide the topsheet, the backsheet and optionallyintermediate layers. In this context suitable nonwoven webs include aproduct known as Spunbond PE, which can be obtained from Polybond,Incorporated of Waynesboro, Va., USA and a product known as COROLIND PE,which can be obtained from Corovin GMBH of Germany.

[0065] As intermediate layer or as topsheet material a variation of athree dimensional formed film known as DRI-WEAVE can be used. DRI-WEAVEis used as a topsheet on sanitary napkins manufactured by the Procter &Gamble Company, Cincinnati, Ohio under U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,342,314 and4,463,045. The three dimensional film for use in the side wrappingelements can be apertured or not apertured all the way through as in thecase of DRI-WEAVE topsheet material. For integral side wrapping elementsthe DRI-WEAVE topsheet can be formed so that the apertures are closedoff on the longitudinal side of the film which forms the wearer facingside of the side wrapping elements.

[0066] The polyethylene backsheet material can be for example a film asmentioned above. This polyethylene film can be joined to form thelaminate of the side wrapping elements together with the nonwoven and/orthe formed film by any suitable method such as by a spiral applicationof adhesives or slot coating, or it can be welded or extruded together.

[0067] The composite laminate preferably has a caliper of between0.13-1.5 mm and is capable of extending between about 25-80% withouttearing. The particular laminate is chosen to provide a softbody-contacting surface, good extensibility if extensibility is desired,good resistance to folding and crumpling and a liquid barrier.

[0068] The side wrapping elements 50 can be integral extensions of thetopsheet 38 and backsheet 40 of the main body portion 21 as shown inFIG. 3. In other embodiments, instead of being integral, the sidewrapping elements 50 can comprise a single or more separate componentswhich are attached to the main body portion 21. They are preferablyattached to the garment facing side of the main body portion 21 but canalso be attached along the longitudinal side edge 23 of the main bodyportion 21 of the article 20.

[0069] According to the present invention the side wrapping elements 50have a predisposition to as to assume the in-use-position. Thein-use-position is similar to that shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 4 in a crosssectional perspective where the crotch portion of the undergarment wouldbe wrapped between the side wrapping elements 50 and the garment facingsurface of the backsheet 40.

[0070] In order to achieve this predisposition it is not desirableaccording to the present invention to employ resilient hinges. In factthe use of an additional resilient hinge material in order to providethe side wrapping element 50 with the ability to clamp the napkin to theside edges of the crotch portion of the undergarment is undesirableaccording to the present invention since the additional resilientmaterial can cause chaffing or it can be irritating to the sensitiveskin on the inside of the thighs of their wearer.

[0071] If the side wrapping elements 50 are integral with the main bodyportion 21 of the sanitary napkin they can be formed by integralextensions as indicated above of the backsheet 40 and the topsheet 38 ofthe main body portion. Such a design is shown in a cross sectional viewin FIG. 3.

[0072] The side wrapping elements 50 are then folded along a foldline 25such that they depend from the main body portion on the side of thegarment facing surface of the main body portion. The folding line 25does not need to be a straight line but usually will be a straight linefor geometry and material reasons and for simplicity of manufacturing.

[0073] This foldline 25 can be, but does not have to be, identical tothe longitudinal side edges 23 of the main body portion 21 of thesanitary napkin 20. The main body portion 21 of the disposable absorbentarticle according the present invention can have and preferably hasnon-linear side edges. The main body portion essentially follows theperipheral outline of the absorbent structure and hence can for exampleassume a shape of a dog bone, hourglass, oval, have a differenttransversal dimension in the front and the rear end of the main bodyportion or it can be non-symmetrical in respect to the transverse axis.

[0074] Such a shape of the main body portion 21 is present in the priorart embodiment shown in FIG. 1. This prior art embodiment has integralside wrapping elements which are simply extensions of the components ofthe main body portion. The side wrapping elements are joined such thatthey are predisposed towards the flat, stretched out position shown inFIG. 1. This position can be considered as precursor of embodimentsaccording to the present invention shown in FIGS. 2, 3 or 4.

[0075] In case of a shaped main body portion 21 and a strait foldingline 25 there will be a portion of the side wrapping element which isfolded onto itself but remain outside the perimeter of the main bodyportion 21. Such a situation can be seen in the cross sectional view ofFIG. 3. In principal this material can be considered excess material butneed not be removed. However in a preferred embodiment according to thepresent invention this material, which is located between the foldingline 25 and the longitudinal side edges 23 of the main body portion 21,is at least partially severed from the absorbent article 20 as can beseen in FIG. 4.

[0076] In order to provide the side wrapping element 50 with therepredisposition towards the in-use-position it is provided with anattachment 27 to the garment facing surface of the main body portion.This attachment 27 can be provided by any means usual in the art such asby adhesive means by crimping, by soldering or by welding. Preferablythis attachment 27 is extending along the longitudinal side edge 23 ofthe main body portion 21. However the attachment 27 can also be closerto or further away from the longitudinal axis than the longitudinal sideedges 23 of the main body portion 21.

[0077] The attachment 27 need not be continues but can be provided in adiscontinues fashion such as dots, dashes or points. In such a case itwill be apparent to those skilled in the art that in order to maintainthe primary function of side wrapping elements it is necessary tomaintain a continues connection between the main body portion and theside wrapping elements to prevent soiling of the side edges of thecrotch portion of the undergarment.

[0078] This can be achieved for integral side wrapping elements bymaintaining the foldline 25 intact. For such an embodiment it is topreferred that the length of the line of attachment 27 does not exceed50% of the length of the foldline 25, and even more preferable that theline of attachment 27 is substantially centred around the midpoint ofthe foldline, most preferably the line of attachment 27 has a midpointwithin 10 mm of the midpoint of the foldline.

[0079] This embodiment is particularly useful for absorbent articleshaving strait longitudinal side edges along their main body portion. Theside wrapping elements can then be predisposed towards theirin-use-position such that the theoretical line, which is formed byconnecting the transversely inner most points at which the side wrappingelement is joint to the main body portion, such that this theoreticalline forms an inwardly curved shape following more closely the usualcurved shape of the side edges of the crotch portion of an undergarmentthan a strait line of attachment would.

[0080] In an alternative embodiment according to the present inventionthe side wrapping elements 50 can be provided as separate pieces fromthe main body portion 21. This has the benefit of allowing a differentmaterials to be employed for the side wrapping elements than are use forthe material forming the main body portion. The line of joining theseparate side wrapping elements to the main body portion preferably canbe identical to the line of attachment which provides the side wrappingelements with the predisposition towards their in-use-position. Such anembodiment would be identical to the cross sectional view of anembodiment according to the present invention having integral sidewrapping elements of which the excess material including the foldingline has been severed from the article as is shown in FIG. 4.

[0081] If the lines of attachment 27 of the side wrapping elements (50)to the main body portion are provided inward from the periphery of themain body portion, the free outwardly facing edge of the materialforming the topsheet, the backsheet and the side wrapping elements canprovide a particularly soft, non-irritating longitudinal side edge tothe disposable absorbent article and is hence particularly preferred. Toachieve this softness the free outwardly facing edge should have atleast about 3 mm width along the longitudinal 30% of the longitudinalside edge of the main body portion.

[0082] Typically the side wrapping elements 50 comprise attachment means(not shown in the drawings) which can be any attachment means typicallyused in the art. This includes such attachments as the male part ofmechanical fasteners, so called hooks, which engage into the fibroussurface of the undergarment as the complementary female loop part. Moretypical the attachment means is a pressure sensitive adhesive well knownin the art which realisably adheres to the surface of the undergarmentwhen placed in there. Suitable adhesives are Savare LA203 and LA303 ofthe Savare I.C. company of Milan in Italy, Coramelt 867 by Koemmerlingin Pirmasens in Germany and Fuller H-2238ZP manufactured by the H.B.Fuller Co of Lueneburg in Germany. Suitable adhesive fasteners are alsodescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,697.

[0083] Prior to use the attachment means are protected by joining themto a release surface. The release surface has to be selected inaccordance with the selection of the attachment means. For an adhesiveattachment means a silicon coated release paper strip or more preferablya coating of the release compound onto the surface which is in contactwith the attachment means in the article configuration as provided tothe wearer can be employed.

ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0084] Numerous alternative embodiments of the present invention arepossible. For example, the side wrapping elements are preferably mirrorimages of each other, and are symmetrical about the longitudinal axis.However, it should be understood that the shape and location of the sidewrapping elements described herein are those of a preferred embodiment,and other embodiments are also possible. For example, while the sidewrapping elements 50 are shown as extending symmetrical from eachlongitudinal edge of the main body portion, there may be one sidewrapping element extending further than the other one. Further, the sidewrapping elements 50 may be offset along the longitudinal centerlinemore towards one transverse end edge of the main body portion than theother.

[0085] The terms “panty liner” refer to absorbent articles that are lessbulky than sanitary napkins which are generally worn by women betweentheir menstrual periods. Suitable absorbent articles in the form ofpantiliners that can benefit from the present invention described hereinare disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,738,676 entitled “Pantiliner”.

[0086] The term “incontinence article” refers to pads, undergarments(pads held in place by a suspension system of same type, such as a belt,or the like), inserts for absorbent articles, capacity boosters forabsorbent articles, briefs, bed pads, and the like, regardless ofwhether they are worn by adults, children or infants. Suitableincontinent articles that can be provided with the side wrappingelements described herein are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,300,054 andU.S. Pat. No. 5,304,161.

1) Disposable absorbent article (20) for wearing in the crotch portionof an undergarment, said crotch portion comprising side edges which frompart of the leg opening of said undergarment, said article (20) having alongitudinal axis (L) and a transverse axis (T), said article comprisinga main body portion (21) having longitudinal side edges (23)substantially extending parallel to said longitudinal axis (L) andhaving transverse side edges (22) substantially extending parallel tosaid transverse axis (T), said main body portion (21) further having awearer facing surface and a garment facing surface, and said articlecomposing side wrapping elements (50) having an in-use-position in whichsaid side wrapping elements (50) wrap said side edges of said crotchportion, said article (20) being characterised in that said sidewrapping elements (50) have a predisposition so as to assume saidin-use-position. 2) Disposable absorbent articles (20) according toclaim 1 characterised in that said predisposition in provided by joiningsaid side wrapping elements (50) to said main body portion in saidin-use-position. 3) Disposable absorbent article (20) according to anyof the preceding claims characterised in that said side wrappingelements (50) are provided separately from said main body portion andare attached to said main body portion (21). 4) Disposable absorbentarticle (20) according to claim 3 wherein said side wrapping elements(50) are attached to the garment facing surface and along thelongitudinal side edges (23) of said main body portion (21) to saidarticle. 5) Disposable absorbent article (20) according to claims 1 or 2characterised in that said side wrapping elements (50) are integral withsaid main body portion (21), said side wrapping elements (50) are foldedalong a foldline (25) into said in-use-position and attached to saidgarment facing surface of said main body portion to provide saidpredisposition of said side wrapping elements (50). 6) Disposableabsorbent article (20) according to claim 5 characterised in that saidside wrapping elements (50) are attached to said garment facing surfacealong a longitudinal line (27) over a length of not more than 50% of thelength of said foldline (25). 7) Disposable absorbent article (20)according to claim 6 characterised in that said longitudinal line ofattachment (27) has a midpoint which is not more than 10 mm from themidpoint of said foldline (25). 8) Disposable absorbent article (20)according to claim 5 characterised in that said main body portion (21)comprises a topsheet (38) which provides said wearer facing surface, anda backsheet (40) which provides said garment facing surface, and saidside wrapping elements (21) comprise integral extensions of saidtopsheet (38) and said backsheet (40) and said side wrapping elements(21) are folded along a foldline (25) into said in-use-position and saidside wrapping elements (50) are attached to said main body portion (21)along the common portion of said longitudinal side edges (23) of saidmain body portion (21) and the side wrapping elements (50), said commonportion being at least partially between said foldline (25) and saidlongitudinal axis (L). 9) Disposable absorbent article (20) according toclaim 8 characterised in that the material between said longitudinalside edges (23) of said main body portion (21) and said foldline (25),preferably including said foldline (25) itself, is severed from saiddisposable absorbent article (20). 10) Disposable absorbent article (20)according to claims 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 characterised in that saidattachment is provided by an adhesive means or welding of contactingmaterials.